How to save on electricity and heating bills

As they say, winter is coming and with colder weather on the horizon, consumers should be prepared to pay higher energy bills in the near future.

In September year-over-year inflation rate Energy services such as gas and electricity account for nearly 20%. according to a recent report About 47 percent of all U.S. households use natural gas to heat their homes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and the agency says households using natural gas will see prices increase this winter compared to last year. is expected to rise by 28%.

That’s not all. Electricity bills will also rise as many US homes continue to use electricity generated by burning natural gas.

new york city energy company con edison States such as Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, and Virginia are forecasting a 22% year-over-year increase in residential electricity bills this winter. electric company We are about to implement a price increase from 7% to 16%.

So why are energy prices rising? CEO of Cisco DeVries ohm connectpoints to the war in Ukraine and the increased frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change. 2021 Winter Storms in Texasdestroyed the state power grid, Drought in progress in Californiaimpacted the state’s hydropower supply — for damaging existing energy systems across the United States

Thankfully there are still some steps you can take save money About this winter’s utility bills. select I’ll break it all down below.

For starters, the Department of Energy recommends some money-saving tips on that websiteFor example, open the curtains to let in sunlight during the day, insulate well-ventilated windows, adjust thermostats, find and seal air leaks, and maintain your home’s existing heating system.

Dennis Stinson, Vice President of Sales Fujitsu General America, suggests consumers try zoning in their homes — using heat in just one part of the house and no heat in another, rather than trying to heat the whole house. For example, if he’s watching TV in the downstairs living room, turn off the heating upstairs because he’s not there yet.

Stinson also believes that consumers HVAC system It is checked each season by a contractor to ensure it is properly maintained.

And while remodeling your home for energy efficiency may be one of the best ways to save on your energy bills in the long run, it can come at a significant cost, says DeVries. increase. smart thermostatFor example, it is a more cost-effective way for consumers to save energy.

Certain electronic devices, such as coffee machines and home entertainment systems, “Vampire Energy Source” This is because they continue to consume power even when not in use. Simply plug the smart plug into a regular electrical outlet and use the app on your smartphone to turn your device on and off when you’re not using it. Another option is to get a smart him thermostat that you can use to regulate the temperature whenever you’re not home.

it turned out to be when Using the most energy-consuming devices and appliances also makes a difference. Many energy companies also On-peak and off-peak hours — This means you may be charged more during times when there are more people using electricity. That’s why DeVries recommends turning the heating on a few hours before peak hours start and turning it off when peak tariffs start.

Remember, federal and state financial assistance is available for low-income households. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programprovides people with money to pay their utility bills. Home repairs related to energy efficiencyYou can apply for the program at . your state website.

If you can pay your monthly utility bills with a credit card, cashback credit card Earning rewards on every purchase might be the way to go, as cashback can be used as statement credit to reduce future credit card balances.

of US Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is a great card to use to pay your utility bills as it gives you 5% cash back on your first $2,000 of eligible purchases every quarter. Two rotation categories Two of these categories are utility bills and home utility bills. Also, after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 120 days of account opening, earn a $200 bonus for purchases and balance transfers in the first 15 billing cycles (after 18.24 – 28.24% fluctuation) Enjoy 0% introductory APR. .

No annual fee Wells Fargo ActiveCash® Card, cardholders can earn 2% on all qualifying purchases. As a welcome bonus, if you spend $1,000 within his first three months of account opening, you’ll get $200 worth of cashback.there is also APR 0% at introduction First 15 months of purchases and eligible balance transfers (18.74%, 23.74%, or 28.74%, fluctuating) made within the first 120 days of account opening.

Another popular option is Chase Freedom Unlimited® Cardwhich allows the cardholder to no annual fee card Up to the first $20,000 spent in that first year. In other words, when you make a reservation, his 6.5% of the travel price will be returned. Chase Ultimate Rewards, 4.5% at restaurants (including takeout and certain delivery services), 4.5% at drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases such as utilities.of chase freedom unlimited There is also an introductory APR of 0% for the first 15 months of purchases and balance transfers (17.99% to 26.74% thereafter, variable).

By implementing a few simple changes around your home, you can: save money About this winter’s utility bills. Start by using tools like smart plugs and smart thermostats to reduce your power usage when you’re not home. Also, for bills that need to be paid, cashback credit card to save a little more.

If you’re on a tight budget and concerned about long-term energy usage, consider renovating your home to be more energy efficient.

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